Mechanics of polymeric membranes subjected to chemical exposure

The mechanics of polymeric hyperelastic membranes that are subjected to uniform transverse pressure loading are discussed. The paper also focuses on the membrane behaviour when there is loss of hyperelasticity resulting from the removal of plasticizer from the polymeric material as a result of chemical exposure. Constitutive models presented describe the influence of both hyperelasticity and rate-sensitivity on the mechanical behaviour of the polymeric membrane in its natural and chemically exposed states. The constitutive models developed through experimental investigations are implemented in computational techniques to develop solutions to the membrane deformation problems.